5th Grade

Hello Leopards! My name is Halley Taylor (she/her), and I am overjoyed to join Lincoln Academy as a 5th grade English Teacher. 

I moved to Arvada in July of 2024, hailing from Omaha, Nebraska. I have been in education for 10 years, teaching English, Journalism and English Language Learners (ELD) and Reading intervention across 7-12 classrooms. I hold a Masters degree in Teaching from College of Saint Marys in Omaha, Nebraska; a Bachelors of Science in Journalism, a Bachelors of Science in Public Relations and a minor in Special Events Planning from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.

My professional experience has not always been in Education. I have worked in multiple non-profits including roles at the Central Missouri Humane Society as their Shelter Relations Coordinator, at the Anti-Defamation League as the Education Director for Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, and as the Executive Director at Omaha Girls Rock. I am passionate about making a positive impact through relationships and I am always eager to find big and small ways to “change the world.” I share this to now say, I KNOW my calling, my passion and my spirit belong in the classroom. 

My family and my friends are very important pieces of my heart. I'm a dog-mom to my doghter, Sahsha and an auntie to my 7-year-old nephew, Hudson. I have 4 sisters who I love dearly: Maya, a professional choreographer around the World; Mychal, a manager of a restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas; Cecily, an artist and tattoo artist in New Orleans, and Olive, who is a 5th grader in Omaha! In my free time I love to listen to live music, add to my vinyl collection, dance, find treasures at thrift stores, whip up meals in the kitchen, hike and explore my new community here in Colorado. (Would you mind sharing your local favorites with me?) 

I am thrilled to join you at Lincoln Academy and cannot wait to meet you!

I am married to my high school sweetheart, Jeremy, and we have 3 busy kiddos. Josiah is a Junior at Florida Atlantic University. Lucia is a Freshman this year at University of Northern Colorado. Hazel is in 5th grade this year and keeps me on my toes with her love of all things active! All of my kids are Lincoln alum, or current students so I have an extra deep appreciation for Lincoln Academy. We are a busy family, but we always make time to spend time together (especially if it is on a beach somewhere, or in Disney World!).

I am so excited to be one of the 5th grade teachers! I have taught a variety of grades over my 19 year career in education. In addition to teaching kids, I also coach and teach teachers Science and STEM. I have my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Design with an emphasis on Linguistically Diverse Education from University of Colorado. 

Welcome to 5th grade at Lincoln Academy!  I will be entering my 13th year working at Lincoln Academy.  I have taught 5th grade at Lincoln since 2014.  I hold a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in both Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction.  Prior to working at Lincoln, I taught both children and adults in various disciplines.  My husband and I were married for 31 years before he passed away in January of 2025.  We have three sons who are 21, 25 and 28.  I have a true commitment and passion for the quality of education here at Lincoln.  I am looking forward to this school year!

Debbie McNutt (5th-6th Technology) received her bachelor’s degree in Business Computer Systems from New Mexico State University in 1987 and worked for IBM Corporation for 11 years.  She received her Masters in Secondary Education at the University of Denver in 1997.  Mrs. McNutt came to Lincoln with 4 years of experience teaching high school in the Thornton area teaching digital media and math.  The 2025-26 school year will be Mrs. McNutt’s Twenty-first year of teaching and her sixteenth year at Lincoln Academy.  She is excited to be teaching 5th - 6th grade technology.  Mrs. McNutt loves to spend her free time with her husband, 3 children, and 2 grandsons, as well as running, golfing, traveling, photography, scrap booking, visiting Disney, and watching movies.